Jack Kennedy’s third point reduced Tipp’s deficit to two points. Then, after Conor Sweeney saw his shot come back off the bar, Tipp created another chance as Quinlivan set up McGrath to finish well.

Sweeney and Brian Fox made it 1-12 to 0-12 before the second goal arrived.

Josh Keane forced a turnover and possession worked to Michael Quinlivan, who produced a wonderful curling effort beyond the dive of Cork keeper Mark White.

When Sweeney added another point, it was 2-13 to 0-12.

But just when all hope looked lost for Cork, they gained some hope as Ruairí Deane set up sub Colm O’Neill for a palmed finish from close range.

Even then, though, it was not to be Cork’s night as they could not come closer than three points.

McGrath’s second goal — Tipp’s third — made the points safe for them.

Tipp had no league debutants, whereas Cork had six. So it should not have been a huge surprise that the visitors established a 0-4 to 0-1 lead inside the opening nine minutes.

It was a lead which could have been greater but for a good Mark White save from Josh Keane.

Cork, though, led by captain Ian Maguire, Mark Collins and Seán Powter, began to gain a foothold.

They scored six consecutive points to move three in front, Collins with three of them. Stephen Sherlock was also on the scoresheet and Powter showed good anticipation to intercept a Tipp pass, fisting it over the bar.

Ruairí Deane’s point on the half-hour mark made it 0-9 to 0-6 for Cork.

But Kennedy’s long-range free for Tipp was followed by a nice score from Liam Boland and Quinlivan had half a sight of goal but shot high and wide.

In injury time, Cork had a great chance to put daylight between the teams when Daniel O’Callaghan’s delivery broke near the goalmouth and fell to Powter.

Just as he was about to shoot, Robbie Kiely fouled him, conceding a penalty.

But Tipp keeper Evan Comerford — playing his first game for the county since a 12-week ban ruled him out in 2017 — saved well from Sherlock.

Sherlock did not dwell on the miss and scored the first two points of the second half.

But Tipp did not fall away and reeled their hosts in score by score.

O’Neill’s goal brought Cork back to within four points with more than a quarter of an hour left.